Afonso Bandeira is only 34 years old, but from a very early age his life has been devoted to mathematics. Born in São Pedro do Sul, in the Viseu region, he was the first recipient of the Antonio Aniceto Monteiro Prize, which is awarded for the best research work in this field, in honor of the work of this outstanding Portuguese mathematician.
Speaking to DN, Afonso says that it was the various projects he was involved in in high school that inspired him to pursue a career involving numbers, computing and a lot of research. “First of all, the Portuguese Mathematical Olympiads and the Delfos project, a mathematics school for young people in Coimbra, led me to this path,” he says.
Later it seemed that the right choice was a degree and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Coimbra, followed by a doctorate in applied and computational mathematics from Princeton University in the United States of America. “About the same time, I started doing research. I already did it in Coimbra, but everything changed in the United States,” he says.
And don’t stop there. In the US, Afonso Bandeira became an assistant professor at New York University and spent a year at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). But five years later he left for Switzerland, where he has been a professor at ETH Zurich for three years.
The mathematician developed research in information mathematics, combining probabilistic tools, theoretical statistics, and convex optimization. “I work a lot in data science mathematics from a very theoretical point of view, which includes probability, statistics, theoretical calculations, and high-dimensional optimization,” he explains.
For now, he intends to stay in Switzerland. “From a professional point of view, I am very stable in Switzerland. I have my group and my students. I no longer intend to leave the university where I study. I really enjoy being there.” However, he visits Portugal very often.
“In this career, we are always on the move, but after a while it becomes hard not to have that kind of stability,” he admits.
Between Portugal, the United States of America and Switzerland, the truth is that Afonso’s path did not remain indifferent to the Portuguese Mathematical Society and Unilabs, who in partnership decided to award the mathematician. The jury—André Neves (University of Chicago), Georgia Benkart (University of Wisconsin), Irene Fonseca (Carnegie Mellon University), Marcelo Viana (IMPA), and Martin Hairer (Imperial College)—had only one task: to award “one award.” mathematician of Portuguese origin and under 40 years of age, who distinguished himself by a significant contribution to the development of the discipline. So, Afonso Bandeira became the chosen person.
“It was a great honor to hear that I received this award. I’m very happy. This is a sign that they liked my work,” says Afonso.
The mathematician admits that he is especially happy to receive a prize at the National Mathematical Assembly, which was held at the Tomar Polytechnic Institute. “After so many virtual events, it’s great to talk in person with some colleagues and see many Portuguese mathematicians that I haven’t had the opportunity to meet yet,” he stressed.
Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education Elvira Fortunato on Wednesday (July 20) presented the first prize to António Aniceto Monteiro. This is the first prize that Afonso Bandeira has received in Portugal for his research work. Abroad, he was the recipient of the Smale Prize (2020), “an award given every three years to the foundations of computational mathematics”.
Method Media Bermuda will present the documentary FABRIC: Portuguese History in Bermuda on Thursday, December 29 at the Underwater Research Institute of Bermuda.
A spokesperson said: “Method Media is proud to bring Bermuda Fabric: Portugal History to Bermuda for its 5th and 6th showing at the Bermuda Underwater Observatory. In November and December 2019, Cloth: A Portuguese Story in Bermuda had four sold-out screenings. Now that Bermuda has reopened after the pandemic, it’s time to bring the film back for at least two screenings.
“There are tickets Ptix.bm For $ 20 – sessions at 15:30 and 18:00. Both screenings will be followed by a short Q&A session.
Director and producer Milton Raboso says, “FABRIC is a definitive account of the Portuguese community in Bermuda and its 151 years of history, but it also places Bermuda, Acors and Portugal in the world history and the events that have fueled those 151 years.
“It took more than 10 years to implement FABRIC. The film was supported by the Minister of Culture, the Government of the Azores and private donors.
“Bermuda Media Method [MMB] Created in 2011 by producer Milton Raposo. MMB has created content for a wide range of clients: Bermuda’s new hospital renovation, reinsurance, travel campaigns, international sports and more. MMB pays special attention to artistic, cultural and historical content.
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Maestro Filipe Cunha, Artistic Director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Braga, has been invited to conduct the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra, as announced today.
According to a statement sent by O MINHO, “he will be the first Portuguese conductor to conduct this orchestra in its entire history.”
In addition to this orchestra, the maestro will also work with the Lyceo Mozarteum de la Habana Symphony Orchestra.
The concerts will take place on 4 and 12 March 2023 at the National Theater of Cuba in Havana.
In the words of the maestro, quoted in the statement, “these will be very beautiful concerts with difficult but very complex pieces” and therefore he feels “very motivated”.
From the very beginning, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 will be performed by an Italian pianist (Luigi Borzillo), whom the maestro wants to bring to Portugal later this year. In the same concert, Mendelshon’s First Symphony will be performed.
Then, at the second concert, in the company of the Mexican clarinetist Angel Zedillo, he will perform the Louis Sfora Concerto No. 2. In this concert, the maestro also conducts Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony.
“This is an international recognition of my work. An invitation that I accept with humility and great responsibility. I was surprised to learn that I would be the first Portuguese member of the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra. This is a very great honor,” the maestro said in a statement.
“I take with me the name of the city of Braga and Portugal with all the responsibility that goes with it, and I hope to do a good job there, leaving a good image and putting on great concerts. These will be very special concerts because, in addition to performing pieces that I love, especially Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, I will be directing two wonderful soloists who are also my friends. It will be very beautiful,” concludes Filipe Cunha.